And, haply, yet a more prevailing cause In Virtue's name unquestion'd entrance gain. Thou something, loosing moral ties by stealth, That decent order wound, and sober rules! Thou elder sister of divine Ennui ! 121 Thro' thee we scold, we rave, we laugh, we cry, With flimsy novels, like a band-box lin❜d; In She runs thro' every form of exclamation. 140 150 Alike th' infernal and seraphic dreams Delight the spirit studious of extremes. Transient alike the sorrow and the joy; But, 'tis a theme which may the tongue employ, From coral lips bid tuneful nonsense flow, And the fair form in graceful postures show. Lord! with what scorn she marks the vulgar crew, That rest in common-sense, like me and you! "Poor wretched beings, stupidly content, "That shun the charming pangs of Sentiment!"Who can the dull unfeeling things endure ?"'Tis vastly horrid !-vastly, to be sure !" But when two sentimental spirits meet!— For scorn and ridicule, oh what a treat! 161 "Sir, your address, so winning and so stealing." "And, dearest creature, you have so much feeling""Oh, my dear Miss, your sentiments divine "Are something exquisite, sublime, and fine." "Ah, Sir, with you to taste, without controul, "The feast of Reason, and the flow of soul! "Sure in one mould kind Nature form'd our hearts." "Miss, you have genius"-Oh, Sir, you have parts! "What transport were it, on some lonely steep, "With thee, my fair, to tend the fleecy sheep; "To listen to the soft Æolian lyre, "Or hear the cricket chirrup from the fire."— 170 "Oh, Damon, where you tread, contentment beams; "The wild a court, the cot a palace seems. "Supremely happy was that Age of Gold, "Ere Priests were known, or Licences were sold! "No parent's mandate then inspir'd a dread; "No marriage treaty was on sheep-skin spread!”Thus in a mental air-balloon they ride, Tow'ring o'er Prudence, and from Reason wide. Their first excursion is to Gretna-green, In DOCTOR'S-COMMONS they come down at last. 180 Heav'n guard her youth from every touch of ill!- And give her, to reward the virtuous breast, 190 200 Thrice happy man! whom bounteous Heav'n ordains, To find such partner of his joys and pains. To find a treasure that in price outshines The richest jewel of Golconda's mines. Th' expanding bosom is with godhead fraught, Some spirit whispers to prophetic thought: "Thro' length of days, and all the social ties, "Miranda shall in worth and virtue rise; "And mild Devotion pour a steady light, "To guide her footsteps to the fair and right. "An Angel, soaring to the Sister Choir, "With temp'rate lustre, of etherial fire. "In converse with her Maker, may she find "The purest pleasure of the reasʼning mind.” I know, Miranda, that with pious awe Thy youth was nurtur'd in thy Maker's Law; Parental care, from day to day, imprest The Gospel Precepts on thy tender breast. Thro' all exertions that thy doom may ask, Each arduous trial, every doubtful task; -210 Hold fast the words of peace, and never part When Fortune's treacherous gales relax the mind; THE TOBACCONIST. EPISTLE THE THIRD. Supposed to be written from a Poet to his Friend. ARGUMENT OF THE POEM. Exordium-Dissuasives of the Author's Friend from writing Verse -unavailing-The Author determines to write-possest at first with high notions of the dignity of the poetical character and desire of future fame-Changes his way of thinking-wishes to render the profession of a Poet profitable-various projects for that purpose-Dedication and flattery of unworthy rich men→→→ fails-and why-He determines then, to cultivate and praise the Jews-in vain-Fruitless attempts in the horrible stile of the German-Resolves to write satire-Two popular models, at present Peter Pindar, and the Author of Pursuits of Literature→→ Discouragements to satirical writings the cause-Proceeds to write for the Stage-Many rival candidates for public favourPerversion of public taste-Tries Tragedy and Comedy-succeeds in neither Contemptuous spirit of the Managers-Ma nagers compared to giants in romance-ugly tricks of Managers -Disappointed in his hopes of encouragement from the Booksellers reflections on the occasion-Authors of birth and fashion -The practice of antient Poets who declaimed their own verses commended-Author wishes to imitate it-The Author reprobates the idea of becoming a minor Poet, as an introduction into the circles of soi disant wits-and readers-The Difficulty of writing well under the pressure of poverty-and petty distresses, -Some reflections on the character of Alexander Pope-Friendly invitation of a Tobacconist to reside with him-and become his Shopman-Author gladly accepts it-and renounces Poetry. WHILE my green years pursued, with idle aim, Full oft thy voice recall'd me from the train. The cares and sorrows printed on my brow, For pain and scorn, and penury invade Th' incautious man that slumbers in it's shade. 10 20 |